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1. Bach - Invention No. 2 in C minor BWV 773 (Recording)

2. Gurlitt - March, Op. 101

3. Gurlitt - Morning Prayer, Op. 101

4. Bach - Invention No. 9 in F minor BWV 780 (Recording)

5. Bach - Prelude in G minor BWV 929 (Recording)

6. Bach - Invention No.1 in C major BWV 772 (Recording)

7. Bach - French Suite No. 2 in C minor BWV 813 - Sarabande (Recording)

8, Bach - French Suite No. 4 In E - Flat Major BWV 815 - Allemande (Recording)

9. Bach - Invention No. 11 In G Minor BWV 782 (Recording)

10. Mendelssohn - Songs Without Words Op. 30 No. 3 (Recording)

1. Reinagle - Simple Song (Keith Snell Preparatory Level - Baroque & Classical)
2. Czerny - Going Downtown (Keith Snell Preparatory Level - Etudes)
3. Beyer - A Short Story (Keith Snell Preparatory Level - Etudes)
4. Berens - Skating (Keith Snell Preparatory Level - Etudes)
5. J.S. Bach - Minuet in G - BWV Anh. 114 (Keith Snell Level 2 - Baroque & Classical)
6. Czerny - Waltz (Keith Snell Preparatory Level - Etudes)
7. Czerny - Lullaby (Keith Snell Preparatory Level - Etudes)
8. Berens - Bike Ride (Keith Snell Preparatory Level - Etudes)

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Clementi - Sonatina op. 36 no. 1 Allegro
J.S. Bach - Minuet in G - BWV Anh. 115

18. Cockles and Mussels (Alfred book pg 105)
19. Blues For Wynton Marsalis (Alfred pg 109)
20. Down to business (Norton's Microjazz #1)
21. After the battle (Microjazz #2)

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9. Czerny - Etude in C op. 599 no. 12 (Keith Snell Level 1)
10. Czerny - Etude in F op. 599 (Keith Snell Level 1

Halfway through the year! Totals are up to date.

Welcome three new members to the club: folly, Lemontree, PianoNoobX

It is never too late to join in on the club ... you can always prorate the number of pieces. Happy playing!

Yes, it's the halfway point and I have 21 pieces done. I'm really amazed. The pieces are a lot more challenging than previous years. This challenge has definitely contributed to my overall piano skills. Now that vacation is over it is back to work on the remaining 19 pieces.

Here's the list as of today -

1. In Steps Together, Bela Bartok, From First Term at the Piano, Sz.53 (Sheet Music - SM)
2. March, in F Major, Carl Czerny, (SM)
3. I've Got Peace Like a River, (SM)
4. Theme and Variations on the D Minor Scale, (Faber Adult Piano Adventures 2 - APA2)
5. Sonatina, CH Wilton (SM)
6. Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho (APA2)
7. Scarborough Fair (APA2)
8. Campbells Are Coming (APA2)
9. The Erie Canal (APA2)
10. Morning, Edvard Grieg (APA2)
11. In the Snow, Christopher Norton (Connections 1 for Piano - C1)
12. Morning Greeting, Cornelius Gurlitt (Celebration Series Piano Etudes 1 - PE1)
13. Lunar Eclipse (APA2)
14. Angelfish, Anne Crosby Gaudet, (Celebration Series Piano Repertoire 1 - PR1)
15. Carol in Cannon, Christopher Norton, (C1)
16. Gavotte in D Major, James Hook (APA2)
17. Scale Study in D Major, Ferdinand Beyer (APA2)
18. Worried Man Blues, (APA2)
19. Fiesta España, Nancy Faber, (APA2)
20. Simple Gifts (level 2), arr: Gilbert DeBenedetti, (SM - available on Gilbert's site)
21. Lean on Me, Bill Withers, (Chordtime Piano Popular - CPP)

1. Song of the Gondolier - Joy of First Classics
2. Beauty and the Beast - Alfred Greatest Hits Bk. 1
3. Simple Gifts - arr. G. Benedetti
4. Circus March - Alfred Adult AIO Book 2
5. White Sails - Joy of First Year Piano - Denes Agay
6. Alexander March = Joy of First Year Piano - Denes Agay
7. Ladybug Boogie - Mier
8. Melody With Varied Accompaniments - Joy... Denes Agay
9. Snowboard Boogie - Mier
10. Chimichanga Cha Cha - Mier
11. Moody Twins - Joy of First Year Piano
12. Wooden Shoe Dance - Joy of First Year Piano
13. On With the Show - Piano Adventures 2A
14. Bartok's Study - Piano Adventures 2A
15. Rock of Ages - Traditional Jewish
16. I Love a Lassie - Scottish Folk Song

Three new pieces. The Bartok I recorded 2 weeks ago but never got around to submitting. The two pieces by 20th-century French composer Charles Koechlin I recorded on Sunday. Koechlin is probably the find of the year for me; he wrote brilliant music for nearly every instrument and his Op. 208 is an excellent album for someone who has played piano for a year or so. The No. 8, Andanto con moto, is probably my favourite piece of music I've learned this year, and it reminds me a tiny bit of the famous Chopin Prelude in E Minor.

The previous 20 pieces can be found in this playlist.
21 Bartók – Triplets (Mikrokosmos, Book 3, No. 75)
22 Hässler – Poco Allegro (Op. 38, No. 6)
23 Hässler – Menuetto (Op. 38, No. 7)
24 J. G. H. Bach - Aria BWV 515 (Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach, No. 20a)
25 Bartók - Peasant Song (Ten Easy Pieces, No. 1)
26 Bartók - In Three Parts (Mikrokosmos, Book 3, No. 76)
27 Bartók – Lento (For Children, Book 1, No. 11)
28 Koechlin – Canon (Op. 208, No. 2)
29 Koechlin – Andante con moto (Op. 208, No. 8)

Three more pieces. I tried my first grade 4 piece and I am satisfied with it. I didn't like the particular piece we chose so I won't polish it off but I felt ready for it. I am going to try a grade 4 etude this week and see how it goes, alongside another Beethoven piece.

1) E Dorian with Modulation, Robert D. Vandall, RCM Grade 2
2) Colors of the Wind, Really Easy Piano
3) The Wind, Chee-Hwa Tan, RCM Grade 2
4) Quiet Lagoon, Jon George, RCM Grade 2
5) Ladies in Waiting, William Gillock, RCM Grade 2
6) Pinwheels, Linda Niamath, RCM Grade 2
7) Etude in F Major op. 190, no. 27, Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler, RCM Grade 2
8) Atacama Desert, Wynn-Anne Rossi, RCM Grade 2
9) Little Dance in Canon Form, Bela Bartok, RCM Grade 2
10) Turkish Bazaar, Mark Mrozinski, RCM Grade 2
11) Etude in C Major, Carl Czerny, RCM Grade 3
12) Theme from Jurassic Park, John Williams, Faber & Faber Adult level 1
13) Sonatina in G Major I, Thomas Attwood, RCM Grade 3
14) Sonatine in C Major op. 36. no. 1, Muzio Clement, RCM Grade 3
15) Gigue a l'Angloise, Georg Philipp Telemann, RCM Grade 3
16) Invention in C Major, Renee Christopher, RCM Grade 2
17) Menuetto II in F Major, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, RCM Grade 3
18) Etude in D Minor op. 261, no. 53, Carl Czerny, RCM Grade 3
19) Echoes of November, Stephen Chatman, RCM Grade 3
20)A Little Piece op. 6, no. 11, Alexander Gedike, RCM Grade 3
21)Gavotte in G Major, HWV 491 George Frideric Handel, RCM Grade 3
22) A Winter Melody, Yoshinao Nakada, RCM Grade 4
23) Musette in D Major BWV Anh. 126, Johann Sebastian Bach, RCM Grade 3
24) Sonatina in G Major, I, Ludwig van Beethoven, RCM Grade 3

My update for middle of July:
43 [P.20 Anyone Home? : Masterwork Classics]
44 [P.21 Spring's Delight : Masterwork Classics]
45 Modern Sounds…Alfred's All-In-One Level 3
46 Jazz Sequences…Alfred's All-In-One Level 3

Have a good day, Birdgolf

Updating my list

Books I use: Essential Piano Repertoire, Keith Snell Prep Level (KSPL), Essential Piano Repertoire, Keith Snell Level 1 (KSL1), First Lessons in Bach (FLB1 and FLB2), Russian Music for Piano Book 1 (RM1)

1. Sonatina Minuet, C.H. Wilton (KSPL)
2. Minuet, Gurlitt (KSPL)
3. Trumpet Tune, Gurlitt (KSPL)
4. Relay Race, Gurlitt (KSPL)
5. Five Note Sonatina, Bolck (KSPL)
6. Allemande, Schein (KSL1)
7. Minuet, Telemann (KSL1)
8. All of My Love, Jones and Plant, duet Arr. Dan Coates
9. Waltz in A Minor, Chopin
10. Minuet #2, Bach (FLB1)
11. Minuet #3, Bach (FLB1)
12. Scherzo, Bach (FLB2)
13. Petite Piece No. 5, Goedicke (RM1)
14. Feuille d'album Op. 11, No.14 W. Landstein (RM1)
15. Gavotte, Telemann (KSL1)
16. Minuet, Rameau (KSL1)
17. Quadrille, Haydn (KSL1)
18. Minuet, Hook (KSL1)

1. Song of the Gondolier - Joy of First Classics
2. Beauty and the Beast - Alfred Greatest Hits Bk. 1
3. Simple Gifts - arr. G. Benedetti
4. Circus March - Alfred Adult AIO Book 2
5. White Sails - Joy of First Year Piano - Denes Agay
6. Alexander March = Joy of First Year Piano - Denes Agay
7. Ladybug Boogie - Mier
8. Melody With Varied Accompaniments - Joy... Denes Agay
9. Snowboard Boogie - Mier
10. Chimichanga Cha Cha - Mier
11. Moody Twins - Joy of First Year Piano
12. Wooden Shoe Dance - Joy of First Year Piano
13. On With the Show - Piano Adventures 2A
14. Bartok's Study - Piano Adventures 2A
15. Rock of Ages - Traditional Jewish
16. I Love a Lassie - Scottish Folk Song
17. Come, Christians, Join to Sing - Traditional Hymn (Arr.)
18. All Creatures of Our God and King - Gmajor Free Piano Music
19. Beautiful Dreamer - Stephen Foster (Arr)

Here are a few more. I am behind the pace of 40, but, picking up pace.

1. Ecossaise D 299 no8, Schubert, from RCM Piano Odyssey, Repertoire, Level 2 Soundcloud
2. Sailing By Moonlight, Joan Last, from RCM Piano Odyssey, Repertoire, Level 2 Soundcloud
3. Deserted Ball Room, Gillock, from Lyric Preludes in Romantic Style, Gillock Soundcloud
4. Chant, Norton, from RCM Piano Odyssey, Repertoire, Level 2 Soundcloud
5. Maiden's Chorus, Gounod, from "Faust", Educational Edition, transcription/arrangement by L. Godowsky Soundcloud
6. Allegretto in C Major, Neefe, from RCM Piano Odyssey, Repertoire, Level 2 Soundcloud
7. The Wind, Tan, from RCM Piano Odyssey, Studies/Etudes, Level 2 Soundcloud
8. The Land of Nod, Tan,from RCM Piano Odyssey, Repertoire, Level 2 Soundcloud
9. End Titles (from movie "Emma"), Portman, from Jane Austen's World Soundcloud
10. A Little Song, Op.27 No.2, Kabalevsky, from RCM Piano Odyssey, Repertoire, Level 2, Soundcloud
11. Fugato, Op.36, no.40, Gedike, from RCM Piano Odyssey, Studies/Etudes, Level 2 Soundcloud

12. Hungarian Mood, Tansman, from 10 Easy Pieces for Piano Soundcloud

13. Melody, Op.68 No.1, Schumann, from RCM Piano Odyssey, Repertoire, Level 2 Soundcloud

14. Etude In E Minor, Op.82 No.35, Cornelius Gurlitt, from RCM Piano Odyssey, Studies, Level 2 Soundcloud

15. Prelude, Alexandre Tansman, from Piano In Progress, Book 1, Alexandre Tansman, Soundcloud

27. Morning Mood - Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt, arrangement from Faber’s Piano Adventures (book 2).
* Although the original piece is written in E-major, the arrangement uses F-major transposition.
* I came across this piece (for learning) a few years ago from Yousician app, and now from the Piano Adventures book.
* I don’t remember the earlier arrangements, but this one specifically focuses on the ledger line (that is the topic of the unit), so it is actually a good practice for that.
* I love the transitions between chords, especially in bar 22. It feels magical a little bit.


28. Lunar Eclipse - from Faber’s Piano Adventures (book 2)
* It is written in E minor (harmonic) in binary form. I believe that is what is called, but I am not totally sure. It has an A section and then B section after which it returns to B and then finishes the Coda.
* This piece introduces few different techniques:
* Tenuto (holding the note for its full value)
* 7-th interval
* Chromatic descent
* Arpeggios
* It has a mystic feel (if the first and the last (third) section). I don’t get the second section at all. It sounds too weird and it does not stick with my fingers. Meh.

Adding a few more to my list. I have had visitors for a month, so I have not made any new recordings. I hope to get back to that soon!

My 2018 list:
1. Telfer -(Celebration Series 5)When Rivers Flowed on Mars
2. Heller - (Masterworks Classics 5)Etude in C Major
3. Chopin - (Celebration series 8)Prelude in B Minor op. 28 #6
4. Astor - Valses Venuzuelos # 1 Adriana ABRSM selections grade 8 2017-2018 Adriana
5. Scarlatti -(ABRSM grade 4)Scarlatti Sonata in D Minor K34
6. Kalinnikov - (Celebration Series RCM 8) Chansom Triste
7. Kember - (ABRSM grade 2 2011-2012) Bah-ba-doo-bah
8. Handel - (ABRSM Selections Grade 3 2017-2018) Sonatina in G "Fugue"
9. Darius Brubeck - (ABRSM Selections Grade 5 2013-2014) For Lydia
10. Hassler - (Celebration Series RCM 4)Allegretto in E Minor
11. Rebikov - (RCM Celebration Series Grade 7) Waltz in F# Minor
12. Kossenko - (RCM Celebration Series Grade 7) Waltz in B Minor
13. Martha Mier - (Jazz, Rags, and Blues 3)Persistent Rhythm
14. Chopin Prelude 28-15 "Raindrop"
15. Bach Invention in Bb Major
16. Mier (Jazz, Rags, and Blues 3) Worrisome Blues
17. Mier (Jazz Rags and Blues 3) Pine Cone Rag
18. Mier *Romantic Sketches 4 Enchanted Waterfall
19. Czery - Op 849 #1
20. Martha Mier (Romantic Sketches 3) Faded Dreams
21. Czerny - Op. 849 #2
22. Czerny - Op. 849 #3
23. Czerny - Op 849 #4
24. Chopin - Prelude in A Major Op. 28 #7
25. Czerny - Op 849 #5
26. Bach - French Suite #5 "Gigue" (Quarterly recital. I will add the video later)
27. Bach - Allemande in G Minor #BWV 836 (CS - RCM 5)
28. Meir - Springtime in my Heart (Romantic Reflections 3)
29. Meir - Dandelion Rag (Jazz Rags and Blues 3)
30. Norton - Blues #1 (Microjazz 2)

Finally, back to the piano
8th Sunlight waltz by C. Rollin
9th Autumn Sketch, Gillock
10th Introduction to Fantasia in D minor, Mozart
11th Allegro arr.Křížková , Kirnberger

1. Pony Ride (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 1/1
2. Tick Tock (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 1/8
3. Floating Candles (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 1/15
4. Robots (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 1/22
5. Burgmuller 25 Progressive Pieces Op 100 No. 1 "Sincerity" 1/24
6. Magic Dust (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 1/29
7. Burgmuller 25 Progressive Pieces Op 100 No. 2 "Arabesque" 1/29
8. Knight In Shining Armour (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 2/5
9. Minuet in B-flat Major BWV Anh 118 2/5
10. Little Bird (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 2/12
11. Late For School (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 2/19
12. Burgmuller 25 Progressive Pieces Op 100 No. 3 "Pastorale" 2/19
13. Dreamy Clouds (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 2/26
14. Beeping Horns (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 3/5
15. Luminous Night Part 1 (Roberto Cacciapaglia) 3/5
16. Icy (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 3/12
17. Luminous Night Part 2 (Roberto Cacciapaglia) 3/12
18. Camels in the Desert (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 3/19
19. Luminous Night Part 3 (Roberto Cacciapaglia) 3/19
20. Dungeon (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 3/26
21. Luminous Night Part 4 (Roberto Cacciapaglia) 3/26
22. Hamster On A Wheel (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 4/2
23. What's That In The Mist? (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 4/9
24. A Little Flower [Op. 205, No. 11] (Cornelius Gurlitt) 4/9
25. Games in the Playground (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 4/16
26. At the Funfair (Harris Piece A Week Grade 1) 4/23
27. Minuet in G Minor BWV Anh. 115 4/30
28. Minuet in G Major BWV Anh. 116 5/7
29. Polonaise in G minor, BWV Anh..119 6/4
30. Clementi Sonatina Op 36, No 1 - III (Vivace) 7/9
31. Clementi Sonatina Op 36, No 1 - I (Allegro) 7/16

I haven't updated for a while as I've been a bit busy to do my 40 a year so I've been focusing on my daily sight reading instead. However, things calmed down a bit and I'm able to get back in to the 40. I was actually assigned the Clementi Sonatinas by my teacher as they were simple enough to get right in a week and would give me pieces where I was less focused on learning where to move my fingers and instead focus on hand balance, which has been vexing me with in my Beethoven "Easy Sonata" (far from easy, Maestro B!)

UPDATE FOR END OF JULY:

47 [P.22 Dance : Masterwork Classics]
48 Nadia's Theme: Alfred's Greatest Hits Bk 1
49 I left My Heart in San Francisco: Alfred's Greatest Hits Bk 1
50 [P.23 Deep Singer : Masterwork Classics Lv 1-2]

This is my first update. I've been preparing for my Grade 9 RCM exam this past June, so now I have time to focus on learning the rest of my 40 songs!

Jan - June
1. Prelude in C Minor - J.S. Bach - Grade 9 RCM
2. Fugue in C Minor - J.S. Bach - Grade 9 RCM
3. Variations in D Major - Kabalevsky - Grade 9 RCM
4. Sonata in C Major, 2nd movement - Mozart - Grade 9 RCM
5. Mazurka op 67 no.4 - Chopin - Grade 9 RCM
6. To The Lute - Hofmann - Grade 9 RCM
7. River Flows in You - Yiruma
July
8. Andante Sostenuto - Mendelssohn - Grade 8 RCM
9. Jazz Exercise No. 2 - Oscar Peterson - Grade 8 RCM

1. Song of the Gondolier - Joy of First Classics
2. Beauty and the Beast - Alfred Greatest Hits Bk. 1
3. Simple Gifts - arr. G. Benedetti
4. Circus March - Alfred Adult AIO Book 2
5. White Sails - Joy of First Year Piano - Denes Agay
6. Alexander March = Joy of First Year Piano - Denes Agay
7. Ladybug Boogie - Mier
8. Melody With Varied Accompaniments - Joy... Denes Agay
9. Snowboard Boogie - Mier
10. Chimichanga Cha Cha - Mier
11. Moody Twins - Joy of First Year Piano
12. Wooden Shoe Dance - Joy of First Year Piano
13. On With the Show - Piano Adventures 2A
14. Bartok's Study - Piano Adventures 2A
15. Rock of Ages - Traditional Jewish
16. I Love a Lassie - Scottish Folk Song
17. Come, Christians, Join to Sing - Traditional Hymn (Arr.)
18. All Creatures of Our God and King - Gmajor Free Piano Music
19. Beautiful Dreamer - Stephen Foster (Arr)
20. Yankee Doodle Dazzle - Alfred Premier 2A
21. Bonnie, Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond - Scottish Folk Song
22. The Birch Tree - Joy of First Year Piano - Denes Agay